Seppia, Seppietta

The cuttlefish has a shorter rounder body than the squid (see Calamaro) but the same number of tentacles. It has a less chewy texture than the squid, but there is much debate about which has the better flavour.

The cuttlefish also carries ink its body which it ejects to confuse enemies when they are in pursuit. The famous sepia or black colour of its ink was in great use by artists at the time of Leonardo da Vinci and his contemporaries (see Nero di seppia). Seppiette in nero con polenta is perhaps one of the most famous dishes made using the ink.